Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Maryann Anenih on Thursday, 19 December, 2024 granted the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum. Recall that Justice Anenih had, on December 10, refused the ex-governor’s bail application, stating it was filed prematurely. While delivering the initial ruling, she said that since the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court at the time, the application was incompetent. There was, however, room for the Governor’s lawyers to file a fresh bail application and…

The Federal Government has transferred regulatory oversight of the electricity market to the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC). The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which made this disclosure this in a recent order, said the development is in line with the Electricity Act, 2023, as amended. This means LASERC will now be responsible for regulatory duties in Lagos State, including setting electricity tariffs. NERC has also directed Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDP), and Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) to establish subsidiaries within 60 days from December 5, 2024, to assume responsibilities for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity in…

Famous Nigerian dancer, Lil Smart, has filed a petition against Marlian Records boss, Naira Marley and singer Zinoleesky over an alleged threat to his life. Recall that on 9 December, 2024, Lil Smart raised an alarm on social media, claiming his life was being threatened. In the alarm he raised, Smart urged the public to hold Naira Marley and Zinoleesky accountable if anything happened to him, just as he also shared disturbing videos and photos showing Zinoleesky and others allegedly chasing him. In response, Zinoleesky denied the allegations, accusing Lil Smart of “chasing clout.” However, in a viral post on…

Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have detained the principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Mr. Abdullahi Fasasi. It was gathered that Fasasi was invited by the police on Wednesday, 18 December, 2024 and has been detained since then. The principal’s detention, according to an online medium, is in connection with the stampede that occurred at the school on Wednesday, 18 December, 2024. Recall that at least 32 children reportedly lost their lives as a result of the stampede that occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Wednesday, 18 December, 2024. The incident took place during a children’s carnival…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the tragic incident at the Children’s FunFair in Ibadan, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and left many injured. The President’s feeling was expressed via a press statement released on Thursday, 19 December, 2024 signed by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, “the President extends his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the grieving families who have lost their beloved children. “In this moment of mourning, President Tinubu stands in solidarity…

I condole with the Governor of Oyo State, HE Engr Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State on the tragedy that occurred on Wednesday, 18th of December 2024 where the lives of many children were lost in a stampede. I sympathize with the family friends, and loved ones of the deceased. I also pray for speedy recovery and total healing for those who are still in the hospital. May the Lord grant peace to Oyo state, comfort to the families who have lost their loved ones and hope to those grieving at this time. My heartfelt condolences to all…

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that his administration conceived the Kajola Inland Dry Port project in alignment with the Federal Government’s initiative to strengthen rail lines across the country, and to take pressure off the Apapa and Tin Can ports and make the clearance of raw materials seamless. The Governor stated this while receiving the Outlined Business Case and Compliance Certificate for the Development and Operation of the port from a delegation of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC). This was just as the council lauded the governor for establishing the dry port, saying that his vision…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called on the people of the state to celebrate Christmas with moderation and extend hands of fellowship to the less privileged and vulnerable in society. Abiodun made the call in his Christmas message at the Ogun State Christmas Carol and Service of Nine Lessons, held at the Arcade Ground, the State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He said Christmas is a time that transcends barriers and unites people across different divides, emphasizing that it is a period that focuses on the timeless values of love, compassion, kindness, and faith. He said: “It is a season…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that the entertainment industry is capable of engaging the youth positively and also a source of revenue generation for the country. Abiodun stated this when he received Bukola Elemide, also known as Asa, who paid a courtesy call on him in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. The Paris-born artist and songwriter was christened Omobowale by the Governor, who described her as a pride of the Gateway State. Governor Abiodun noted that Asa, like other artistes as well as other prominent sons and daughters of the state, is a force to be reckoned…

Two former Chairmen of local councils in Lagos on Wednesday, 18 December, 2024, bagged important appointments from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reports thegallenews.com  The duo of former Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area, Sulaiman Hakeem Oris; and his counterpart from Ojodu Local Council Development Area, Engineer Julius Olori were appointed members of the management board of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority. While Oris was named Executive Director, Agric Services; Oloro was named Executive Director, Engineering for the River Basin Authority. Both are representing Lagos State on the Board. Oris served three terms as Chairman of Bariga LCDA and was…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, 18 December, 2024 arrived in Lagos for his Christmas and New Year celebration. President Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, at exactly 3:23 pm on Wednesday, 18 December, 2024, Before jetting to Lagos, the president presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly for consideration and passage on Wednesday, 18 December, 2024 On arrival in Lagos, President Tinubu was received at the airport by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his deputy, Dr Femi Hamzat; members of Lagos State Cabinet as well as leaders of…

Tragedy occurred on Wednesday, 18 December, 2024 as many children were said to have lost their lives in a stampede that occurred at a carnival in Bashorun area, Ibadan, Oyo State capital. The number of casualties Thegazellenews.com gathered, have not been ascertained as at the time of filing this report. However, it was learnt that the victims have been rushed to some hospitals within Ibadan metropolis. It was further gathered that the carnival was billed to take place on Wednesday, 18 December, 2024 but some parents took their children to the location on Tuesday,17 December, 2024 while some arrived at…

The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, on Monday, 16 December, 2024, reached out to over 10,000 households across the five local governments and 11 local council development areas with food packs, for the end of the year and New Year celebrations. The distribution exercise took place simultaneously in the main five local government areas of the district, namely: Ibeju-Lekki, Kosofe, Epe, Somolu and Ikorodu. Speaking during the food packs distribution at the Constituency office, Ikorodu, Senator Abiru said he was reaching out to his constituents, particularly the less-privileged in the…

First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has urged the elderly to prioritize their heath and spend quality time with their loved ones. She stated this at the 2nd edition of the renewed Hope Initiative (RHI’s) Elderly Support Scheme (RHEISS). The programme which is held in all the states of the Federation including the FCT for Veterans has 250 beneficiaries per State, FCT and Military Veterans receiving N200,000 each. “The Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative has decided to increase the grant from N100,000 to N200,000 this year to provide further support to our elderly citizens during this festive…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has assured the people of Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State that the Commission will complete all ongoing projects and initiate new ones on the island.Addressing a delegation of Niger Delta groups from Bonny led by the Chairman of Concerned Citizens of Bonny, Mr. Victor Ibaningo, in his office in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Director Community and Rural Development, Engr. Theophilus Allagoa said that all communities in the Niger Delta region would be treated fairly by the Commission. Allagoa stated that under the current leadership of the NDDC, no community would be left…

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, 18 December, 2024 presented N47.96 trillion 2025 budget, just as he also disclosed that the administration is earmarking N4.91 trillion for defence and security for the 2025 fiscal year. This is also as Infrastructure, Health, and Education will get N4.06 trillion, N2.48 trillion and N3.5 trillion, respectively. Tinubu said this when he presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the 10th National Assembly in Abuja. The Appropriation Bill is titled “The Restoration Budget, securing peace, building prosperity.” The proposal focuses on stabilizing the economy, creating an equitable environment for business, and fostering inclusive…

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio Right Honourable Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas National Chairman of our great party, Excellency, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje State Governors here present Distinguished Leaders and Members of the National Assembly Senior Government Officials here present Gentlemen of the press, My Fellow Nigerians, 1. In fulfilment of one of my constitutional duties and with unyielding commitment to rebuilding Nigeria towards ensuring that we remain steadfast on the journey to a prosperous future, I hereby present the 2025 Budget to the Joint Session of the 10th National Assembly. 2. On this day, before…

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON has congratulated Nigeria’s Atalanta of Italy forward and Super Eagles goal poacher, Ademola Lookman for winning the CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award. Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh also congratulated the Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie for emerging as the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year. He also hailed the National female team, Super Falcons for winning the Women’s National Team of the Year Award. The Senate President who extolled Lookman’s exceptional skills and prowess said “I wish to congratulate one of…

By Femi Ogbonnikan The 2025 Appropriation Bill Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun recently presented to the State House of Assembly represents a new paradigm shift from the traditional disproportionate imbalance between recurrent and capital expenditures. One significant highlight of the analysis of the N1.054trn budget proposal is the higher percentage voted for capital expenditure vis-a-vis recurrent expenditure. Comparison of the two varieties shows a sharp departure from the past. Appropriating 60 percent to capital expenditure as against 40 percent for recurrent is an important milestone in the administration’s effort towards achieving a sustainable economic growth. In economics, capital expenditures…

The annual Nine Lessons and Carols Service, themed “Immanuel, Our Restorer of Hope,” has been held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. The gathering of notable Nigerians and leaders of faith featured scripture readings by personalities, including former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd); Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Honourable Benjamin Kalu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun…